Week 1 - Taking the First Step Psalm 63

REFLECT (Reread it):

 • The psalmist starts with seeking: "O God, I seek you." That's where prayer begins—with the decision to look for God.

 • Notice the physical language: thirsts, faints, flesh. Seeking God isn't just intellectual—it's a deep human need. 

 • "My soul thirsts for you, as in a dry and weary land where no water is." Have you ever felt spiritually dry? Empty? Searching? • The psalmist remembers past help: "You have been my help." Even if you're starting, you might look back and see moments when you felt held or guided. 

 RESPOND (Talk to God): If you're beginning to pray, tell God that. Say, "I'm not sure how to do this" or "I'm here, trying." Tell Him what brought you to this moment. What are you seeking? What do you hope to find? 

 REST: Close your eyes. Imagine being in a dry land and finding water. Let yourself be thirsty for something real, something true. Rest in the idea that seeking itself is prayer. 

It's Here: Just In Time For Lent - Your Free 6-Week Prayer Guide - Praying the Psalms

Praying with the Psalms: A 6-Week Introduction to Lectio Divina is now available as a completely free download. If you've ever been curious about prayer but didn't know where to start, this guide is for you. 

What You'll Receive: Inside this guide, you'll find everything you need to begin a meaningful prayer practice: 

 A complete introduction to Lectio Divina, an ancient form of meditative prayer. Six carefully selected Psalms, chosen specifically for those new to contemplative prayer. Clear, step-by-step instructions for each week's practice. Thoughtful reflection questions to deepen your experience. Historical and scriptural context that brings these ancient prayers to life. No assumptions about your background or familiarity with Catholic spirituality.

Who This Guide Serves: This resource is designed for real people in real situations: Those who've never prayed before and want a gentle introduction Anyone exploring the Catholic faith and curious about its prayer traditions Spiritual seekers who feel drawn to something deeper but aren't sure where to begin People of faith who want to move beyond rote prayer into genuine encounter The approach is simple, accessible, and welcoming. No jargon. No assumptions. Just an invitation to experience the transformative power of praying with Scripture. 

Available Now in the Saintly Journeys Formation Center.

Come and see what happens when you give God six weeks.

I will be posting my reflections, and I hope you all do the same.

Coming Soon: A Gentle Introduction to Prayer Through the Psalms

Six weeks. Six themes. One ancient prayer book that still speaks today.

If you've ever wanted to learn how to pray but didn't know where to start, this guide is for you.

Next week, I'm launching a free six-week prayer guide designed specifically for seekers and beginners—people who are curious about prayer but intimidated by religious language, unsure of the "right" way to do it, or simply looking for a gentle entry point into the spiritual life.

What Makes This Different?

This isn't a program that assumes you already know the vocabulary or have years of church experience. It's designed to meet you exactly where you are, with no prerequisites and no expectations.

Each week focuses on one accessible theme:

Week 1: Taking the First Step – Starting a prayer practice when you're not sure how
Week 2: Finding Peace – Learning to quiet your mind and heart
Week 3: Being Honest – Discovering that God can handle your real feelings
Week 4: Experiencing Wonder – Opening your eyes to beauty and awe
Week 5: Asking for Help – Bringing your actual needs to prayer
Week 6: Finding Gratitude – Cultivating thankfulness as a way of life

Why the Psalms?

The Book of Psalms has been called the prayer book of the Bible—and for good reason. These ancient prayers express every human emotion: joy, anger, fear, gratitude, confusion, and hope. They've been prayed by Jews and Christians for thousands of years, by people in every circumstance imaginable.

What makes them perfect for beginners? They're honest. Raw. Real. They don't ask you to pretend everything is fine or to use language that doesn't feel like your own. They teach us that prayer isn't about performing for God—it's about showing up authentically.

What You'll Need

• 15-20 minutes a few times each week
• An open heart and a willingness to try
• No religious background required

That's it. No theological degree. No fancy prayer language. Just you and a centuries-old conversation with the Divine.

A Personal Note

I know what it's like to feel like prayer is for "other people"—people who are more spiritual, more religious, more practiced. But prayer isn't about getting it right. It's about showing up honestly, wherever you are on your journey.

This guide is my way of extending a simple invitation: Come and see. Try it for six weeks. See what happens when you give yourself permission to pray in a way that feels authentic to you.

Mark Your Calendar

The free downloadable guide launches next week. Watch this space for the announcement, and feel free to share this with anyone who might be curious about taking their first steps into prayer.

Sometimes the most profound journeys begin with the simplest invitation.

Are you ready to take the first step?

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Want to be notified the moment the guide launches? Drop a comment below or make sure you're subscribed to receive updates from Saintly Journeys.

A Conversation with God: Discovering Lectio Divina

 

Have you ever wished you could have a real conversation with God? Not just talking at Him during prayers you've memorized, but actually listening and encountering Him personally?

That's exactly what Lectio Divina offers.

What Is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (pronounced LEX-ee-oh dih-VEE-nah) is Latin for "divine reading" or "sacred reading." It's an ancient Christian practice of praying with Scripture that goes back to the early centuries of the Church. Think of it as a slow, contemplative way of reading the Bible where you're not trying to study it or analyze it—you're opening yourself to meet the God who speaks through it.

Saint Benedict made this prayer practice central to monastic life in the 6th century, but here's the beautiful truth: Lectio Divina isn't just for monks. It's for every Christian who wants to deepen their relationship with God through His living Word.

Why Does This Matter?

We live in a world of information overload. We're used to skimming articles, scrolling through social media, and consuming content at lightning speed. But God doesn't shout over the noise. He whispers. He waits. He invites.

Lectio Divina teaches us to slow down, to read with our hearts and not just our minds, and to give God space to speak into our lives. As the prophet Elijah discovered, God often comes not in the earthquake or the fire, but in the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

When we practice Lectio Divina, we're essentially accepting God's invitation: "Come and see" (John 1:39).

The Four Movements of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina isn't complicated. It follows a natural rhythm with four movements:

1. Lectio (Reading)
Read the Scripture passage slowly, perhaps even aloud. Don't rush. Let the words wash over you. You're not reading for information—you're listening for God's voice. What word, phrase, or image stands out to you?

2. Meditatio (Meditation)
Sit with the word or phrase that caught your attention. Turn it over in your mind like a precious stone, examining it from different angles. What is God saying to you through these words? How does this connect to your life right now?

3. Oratio (Prayer)
Respond to God. Talk to Him about what you've heard. This is the heart of the conversation. Share your joy, your struggles, your questions, your gratitude. Be honest. Be real. God can handle it all.

4. Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Rest in God's presence. This is where words fade and you simply abide with Him. You're not trying to think or do anything—just be. Let God love you. Receive whatever He wants to give you in this moment of silence.

An Ancient Practice for Modern Life

The early Church Fathers saw Scripture as more than words on a page. Saint Jerome wrote, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." When we practice Lectio Divina, we're not just learning about Jesus—we're encountering Him.

This ancient prayer practice has guided Christians for nearly 2,000 years, and it's perhaps more needed today than ever. In our fragmented, distracted age, Lectio Divina offers us a way to be present, to listen, and to meet the God who is always speaking, always inviting us deeper.

Your Invitation

God is speaking to you through His Word. He has something to say to you today—yes, you specifically. Something that addresses your joys, your struggles, your questions, your deepest longings.

The invitation is simple: Come and see.

Are you ready to begin the conversation?

Want to Pray But Don't Know Where to Start?

Have you ever wanted to pray but didn't know where to start?

Maybe you've tried praying before but felt like you were doing it "wrong." Or you're genuinely curious about faith but don't know how to take that first step. Or perhaps you grew up praying but somehow stopped along the way, and now it feels awkward—even a little embarrassing—to start again.

I get it. Prayer can feel intimidating.

For years, I knew about prayer. I'd heard of various prayer practices, including something called Lectio Divina, which kept coming up in Catholic circles. But honestly? I had no real idea what it actually was or how to do it. It sounded mysterious, maybe even a little complicated—like something for monks or "serious" Catholics, not regular people like me.

Then came January 2021. My wife and I spent a couple of months in Florida during the winter—kind of testing out what would become our new home. I came across an online Lenten retreat offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg: "Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina."

That retreat changed everything for me. This ancient prayer practice—one that seemed so mysterious before—suddenly made complete sense. It wasn't complicated at all. It was just a beautiful, simple way to let Scripture speak directly to your heart.

Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share this practice with you. Whether you're a complete beginner to prayer or someone who's been at it for years but feels stuck, I think you'll find something life-giving here.

Let me show you how to start. 

Follow and stay tuned more to come.

#Prayer #Spirituality #Faith #CatholicFaith #Seeking